Viktor Orbán, speaking in Brussels at the presentation of the János Hunyadi Prize awarded by the Foundation for a Civic Hungary (PMA), emphasized the unprecedented opportunity for national conservative, sovereignist, and Christian forces to gain ascendancy within the EU.
The Prime Minister underscored the pivotal role of Central European nations in challenging the dominance of liberal ideologies and bureaucratic entities, asserting that the contest lies not with George Soros’s empire or Brussels, but with the collective will of nations.
Mr. Orbán’s discourse resonated with a stern rejection of progressive liberalism and its perceived encroachments on national sovereignty and cultural identity.
He likened the liberal agenda to authoritarian tendencies akin to communism, proclaiming a resolute commitment to thwart such incursions. “We will send them back to where they belong, to the dustbin of history, just as we sent the communists away,” Orbán declared, articulating a firm stance against what he deemed as existential threats to freedom and sovereignty.
The Prime Minister’s sentiments were echoed in the presentation of the János Hunyadi Prize to Professor Ryszard Antoni Legutko, a Polish MEP (PiS), for his staunch critique of political autocracy within the European Union. Mr. Orbán commended Prof. Legutko’s vigilance in exposing the pitfalls of progressive liberalism, cautioning against its totalitarian inclinations.
Those with whom we are arguing are actually trying to liquidate us,”
Orbán remarked, alluding to the perceived erasure of national identities and democratic values by liberal forces.
Central to Mr. Orbán’s address was a call for the assertion of European values and freedoms against what he viewed as a declining democratic ethos within the EU. He decried the anti-Christian reflex permeating European consciousness and the encroachment of supranational institutions on the sovereignty of Member States. He lauded the courage of voices like Prof. Legutko’s in challenging the status quo, emphasizing the importance of defending the freedom and independence of European nations.
In closing, Orbán painted a picture of a sovereignist movement across Europe, buoyed by newfound solidarity among Central European states and support in other regions. He heralded a resurgence of conservative values and an unwavering commitment to defending Europe’s cultural heritage and national identities, saying:
It is a long time since I have seen such a good opportunity for national conservative, sovereignist, and Christian-based forces to become dominant in the European Union.”
The award ceremony, organized by the Civic Hungary Foundation, underscored a broader recognition of individuals like Prof. Legutko, who champion European cooperation while upholding the sovereignty of nation-states and the Christian values that underpin European culture.
The establishment of the János Hunyadi Prize in 2023, signifies a concerted effort to honor those who steadfastly defend the freedom and independence of European nations in the face of ideological and institutional challenges.
